I. EXORDIUM:
Who have seen a real gold?
Illustration: Story of gold dust in hair because they lived near a gold mine, too natural for them since it's all they can see.
II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:
Sitio Visaya / Villa Luisa - Strawberry Street, Villa Luisa Homes 1
III. OBJECTIVES:
To show faith as our treasure greater than God.
IV. TEXT:
1 Peter 1:7
so that your genuine faith, which is more valuable than gold that perishes when tested by fire, may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus, the Messiah, is revealed.
V. THESIS:
Faith is greater than gold
VI. TITLE:
FAITH GREATER THAN GOLD
VII. EXPLICATION:
A. Author: Peter - impulsive and full of weaknesses, whome Christ called Simon (Mark 14:37, Luke 22:31, John 21:15-17) Peter was prophesied by Lord Jesus to be a rock (John 1:42) called satan by Lord Jesus (Matthew 16:23)
Mark 14:37
When he went back, he found his disciples asleep. "Simon, are you asleep?" he asked Peter. "You couldn't stay awake for one hour, could you?
Luke 22:31
"Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has asked permission to sift all of you like wheat,
John 21:15-17
John 21:15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?"Peter told him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."Jesus told him, "Feed my lambs."
John 21:16 Then he asked him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?"Peter told him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."Jesus told him, "Take care of my sheep."
John 21:17 He asked him a third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?"Peter was deeply hurt that he had asked him a third time, "Do you love me?" So he told him, "Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you!" Jesus told him, "Feed my sheep.
John 1:42
He led Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked at him intently and said, "You are Simon, John's son. You will be called Cephas!" (which is translated "Peter").
Matthew 16:23
But Jesus turned and told Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are an offense to me, because you are not thinking God's thoughts but human thoughts!"
B. Date and Place of Writing:
Uncertain. There are places in 1 Peter it's implying Rome, Peter mentioned Babylon which symbolizes ancient Rome (1 Peter 5:13), Peter also mentioned Silas and Mark which both of them got to Rome too (1 Peter 5:12-13) He might be writing 1 Peter inside Rome while Paul was in prison and with Paul during his trials before he died in Rome, but there's no certainty.
1 Peter 5:12-13
1Peter 5:12 Through Silvanus, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written this short letter to encourage you and to testify that this is to be the true grace of God in which you are to stand firm! 1Peter 5:13 Your sister church in Babylon, chosen along with you, sends you greetings, as does Mark, whom I regard as a son.
C. Audience:
Christians scattered thru Asia Minor - Jew and Gentile.
D. Purpose:
1. To encourage and strengthen the brothers. (Luke 22:32)
Luke 22:32
but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail. When you have come back, you must strengthen your brothers."
2. To feed God's flock. (John 21:15-17)
John 21:15-17
John 21:15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?"Peter told him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."Jesus told him, "Feed my lambs."
John 21:16 Then he asked him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?"Peter told him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."Jesus told him, "Take care of my sheep."
John 21:17 He asked him a third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?"Peter was deeply hurt that he had asked him a third time, "Do you love me?" So he told him, "Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you!" Jesus told him, "Feed my sheep.
E. Keyword: "Suffering"
F. Key Text: 1 Peter 4:1
1 Peter 4:1
Therefore, since the Messiah suffered in a mortal body, you, too, must arm yourselves with the same determination, because the person who has suffered in a mortal body has stopped sinning,
G. Central Theme: Victory over Suffering
VIII. MAIN BODY:
A. Gold Perishes
1. God's Words are more precious than gold. (Psalms 19:9-10)
Psalms 19:9-10
Psalms 19:9 The fear of the LORD is clean, standing forever. The judgments of the LORD are true; they are altogether righteous.
Psalms 19:10 They are more desirable than gold, even much fine gold. They are sweeter than honey, even the drippings from a honeycomb.
2. His Words will never pass away (Matthew 24:35)
Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear."
B. Gold needs to be refined by fire.
1. Refine - is to test. (Jeremiah 9:7)
Jeremiah 9:7
Therefore, this is what the LORD of the Heavenly Armies says: "Look, I'm about to refine and test them. Because they're my people, what else can I do?
2. Like gold and silver (Malachi 3:3)
Malachi 3:3
He will sit refining and purifying silver, purifying the descendants of Levi, refining them like gold and silver. Then they'll bring a righteous offering to the LORD.
C. Faith is proven thru tests
1. Faith is tested. (James 1:3)
James 1:3
because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
2. Example of Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22:1-2)
Genesis 22:1-2
Gen 22:1 Sometime later, God tested Abraham. He called out to him, "Abraham!" "Here I am!" he answered.
Gen 22:2 God said, "Please take your son, your only unique son whom you love—Isaac—and go to the land of Moriah. Offer him as a burnt offering there on one of the mountains that I will point out to you."
D. Results:
1 Peter 1:7 ...may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus, the Messiah, is revealed.
1. Praise
2. Greatness
3. Honors
4. In Second Coming of the Lord. (Revelations 1:7)
Revelations 1:7 Look! He is coming in the clouds. Every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of him. So be it! Amen.
IX. CONCLUSION:
We can overcome the trials and tests, when Lord Jesus Christ returns we shall graduate with praise, greatness and honors.
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is unusual for human beings. But God is faithful, and he will not allow you to be tempted beyond your strength. Instead, along with the temptation he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to endure it.
